Re: [Paddlewise] FW: Paddlefloat Placement, was Sea Seat

> Rob wrote: 
> 
> > Take Seaward, for
> > example: Even the Nigel Foster series has a fixed paddle
> 
> My Nigel Foster Shadow by Seaward did not have anything to secure a paddle
> for a paddlefloat rescue. Last spring, I discussed this with Nigel Foster at
> the Symposium in San Diego. He stated that he didn't think it was necessary
> because all kayakers should be able to roll and do a re-entry and roll.
> 
> The point that I took was that although, I can roll my boat, what would
> happen if one of my arms or shoulders were injured - i.e. a shoulder
> dislocation? I think it would be very difficult if not impossible for me to
> get back in my boat with an injury like that.
> 
> Another reason for the rigging for the paddle float is if you have a paddler
> who is ill. If there are only two of you, and you need to tow them, it is a
> simple matter to take two paddles and put paddlefloats on them to make an
> outrigger for both sides of the kayak.
> 
> Although, I would use a paddlefloat rescue as a last resort, there are times
> that the rigging can be helpful. My Shadow has it added by me.
> 
> Steve Holtzman
> Southern California

The dealer I bought my boat from -- Frontenac Outfitters, near 
Kingston, Ontario -- was so enamoured of the Seaward straps for 
paddlefloat rescues that he purchased sets of the straps and was 
offering to mount a pair -- for free -- on every boat he was selling.

I have used the straps a couple of times for self-rescue when I've 
been alone. They work very nicely. Not only do they hold the paddle 
securely, but they keep the paddle at right-angles to the boat for 
maximum stability. I've seen people using bungy cords where the 
paddle shifts position so that it is at a 60-degree angle, offering 
less support for the person trying to use the shaft as a brace to 
enter, and less stability because it is not longer at the optimal 
distance from the boat. When I'm with someone, it's faster -- usually 
-- to have the other person raft up beside and help brace the boat 
with their body weight.

But I have used the paddlefloat as outrigger to give me more 
stability while fishing from my kayak. I just keep my weight on the 
outrigger side of the boat, so it a big one decides to go for my 
lure, I'll hopefully not go over. (Still waiting for a big -- or 
small -- fish to volunteer for this experiment. <sigh>)

-- 
  Darryl
***************************************************************************
PaddleWise Paddling Mailing List - Any opinions or suggestions expressed
here are solely those of the writer(s). You must assume the entire
responsibility for reliance upon them. All postings copyright the author.
Submissions:     PaddleWise_at_PaddleWise.net
Subscriptions:   PaddleWise-request_at_PaddleWise.net
Website:         http://www.paddlewise.net/
***************************************************************************